Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Orange, CA: $55.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Orange, CA runs $55.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,384 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,830 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer hourly pay in Orange, California, is projected to reach $55.95. This figure is notable as it exceeds the national hourly median of $49.76 by a significant margin, reflecting the competitive landscape for civil engineers in the region. For part-time engineers working three days a week, this means a potential weekly income of approximately $670.80. The hourly range in Orange spans from $37.35 at the entry level to $86.73 for top earners, highlighting the profession's broad earning potential. This hourly rate encompasses various work environments, including consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, construction site field offices, and government offices, making it an attractive field for workers in a variety of settings, whether full-time or per diem.
About the Orange Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.35 | $298.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.46 | $339.66 |
| Median (P50) | $55.95 | $447.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.63 | $573.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.73 | $693.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Orange
Based on $55.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.95/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Orange, CA can expect to earn approximately $116,384 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,145. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,238.16 | $9,699 | $116,384 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,342.89 | $5,819 | $69,830 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $895.26 | $3,879 | $46,554 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Orange) | $55.95 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Orange, CA earn a median of $116,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.46% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% below the California state average of $118,157.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.95/hr = $69,830/year (purchasing power: $61,742).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,384/year (purchasing power: $102,904).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Orange grew 15.8% from $47.07/hr (2019) to $54.52/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orange metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Orange
Looking at the earning potential further, a civil engineer working a part-time schedule of 24 hours a week would bring in around $34,932 annually, which starkly contrasts with a full-time professional's earnings. Per-diem civil engineer pay in Orange often varies widely; those working on a 1099 basis can charge $100 to $180 per hour, while specialized roles, such as forensic engineers or those involved in geotechnical studies, might command rates ranging from $150 to $250 per hour. Additionally, hourly earnings are influenced by employer types, with firms like AECOM and Jacobs tending to offer lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, contrasting with construction companies where higher pay rates may come without such perks. Engineers should consider these trade-offs carefully and approach negotiations with an understanding of local market rates, aligning their skills and credentials, such as PE licensure, to effectively advocate for their worth in this competitive job market driven by ongoing infrastructure initiatives.
More salary data for Orange, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Orange. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Orange is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov